The Needham Science Center
The Science Center staff is busily unpacking all our equipment and organizing our newly-renovated office space. During this period, we can only offer our teachers limited support. We anticipate being fully operational in the next few weeks. Thank you for your patience.
You're Invited:
Open House and David Sobel Talk
Thursday, October 20th 3:30pm-6:00pm
Free tours of Eastman Trails and Needham Science Center Open House
Location – Needham Science Center - Newman Elementary School
Thursday, October 20th 7:00pm-9:00pm
Free lecture for Parents, Teachers, Middle & High School Students
David Sobel - “Why 21st Century Children Need Nature”
Location - Needham Science Center – Newman Gym
On Thursday, October 20, between 3:30 and 6:00 pm, Needham Senior Girl Scout Troop 73121 will be conducting free tours of the Eastman Conservation Area Trail behind the Newman School on Central Ave. As their special, "Silver Award" Project, the troop participated in a Service Learning Project with the Needham Science Center. Troop members designed and installed educational signage along the Eastman Trail. This short, but very interesting trail through native wetlands is used for science fieldtrips with elementary school children. (There are boardwalks over the wettest areas!)
The Science Center located in the Newman school building will host an Open House at the same time as tours are being conducted, so stop by the Center after you return from the tour.
Plan on staying for David Sobel, author and naturalist. He is giving an evening presentation for parents, middle and high schools students from 7:00-9:00 in the Newman Gym.
Park in the Newman lot and proceed to the Science Center behind the school trailors and follow the signs to the tour meeting place.
The 2010-2011 school year marks the 45th anniversary of the Needham Science Center's founding. This year, we salute the visionaries who founded the Science Center, and thank the Needham Public Schools and the Needham residents for their continuing support.
Since our earliest days in 1964, our goal has been to make science "come alive." The Science Center strives to make science meaningful, accessible, and fun for Needham students and teachers.
Today's Science Center spearheads the Needham Public Schools K-5 Science curriculum. The Science Center staff, together with teacher representatives, are updating Needham's Kindergarten through grade 5 science curriculum to align with the current Massachusetts educational frameworks. The newly designed units are inquiry-based with our students actively doing science. Throughout this process, we stay mindful of the educational values unique to Needham, such as environmental concerns and technological know-how. In conjunction with curriculum updates, the Science Center continues to provide elementary teachers with science expertise, live animals, hands-on materials, exhibits, and programs.
The Science Center believes in the power of collaboration. We have connections with Needham-based organizations such as Green Kids, The Green Needham Collaborative, the Needham Organic Farm, and the Needham Historical Society. We have close relationships with Olin College, Wellesley College, MIT and Harvard University. We also work with facilities in other towns, including the Burlington Science Center,
Zooquarium in West Yarmouth, the Clay Center in Brookline, Aldrich Astronomical Society, Cambridge Public Schools and Boston Public Schools.
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